''Grapsus albolineatus'' is a species of
decapod crustacean
Crustaceans (Crustacea, ) form a large, diverse arthropod taxon which includes such animals as decapods, seed shrimp, branchiopods, fish lice, krill, remipedes, isopods, barnacles, copepods, amphipods and mantis shrimp. The crustacean group can ...
in the family
Grapsidae
The Grapsidae are a family of crabs known variously as marsh crabs, shore crabs, or talon crabs. The family has not been confirmed to form a monophyletic group and some taxa may belong in other families. They are found along the shore among rocks ...
, native to the Indo-Pacific.
Description
Its
carapace, or upper shell, is flat, circular, and rough with arched lateral margins, and may be up to 37 mm in length. Its
chelae
A chela ()also called a claw, nipper, or pinceris a pincer (biology), pincer-like organ at the end of certain limbs of some arthropods. The name comes from Ancient Greek , through New Latin '. The plural form is chelae. Legs bearing a chela are ...
, or claws, are short, small, and flattened. Its
pereiopods, or legs, are long with a tapered end. The margin of the inferior extremity of its last pair of legs is serrate. Males have bigger claws than females. This species is red, blue, or green in color. Its legs are the same color and have irregular dark-brown mottling.
Habitat and distribution
This species occurs in rocky depths and in coral reefs. It is found in the
Indo-Pacific from the East African coast to the Chilean coast. This includes the waters of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Japan, Australia, and the tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean (such as Hawaii).
Diet
The species consumes a mostly herbivorous diet but also takes small crustaceans and fish.
Reproduction
Like in most other
true crabs, light and temperature are the main environmental factors that determine reproductive activity. The female releases her fertilized eggs in its abdomen. This species has a long planktonic larval phase. As the larva matures, it undergoes a series of molts that allow it to grow and reach maturity.
Gallery
File:Grapsus albolineatus-1.jpg, At Karwar, Karnataka, India
File:Grapsus albolineatus (2).JPG, At Bathala, Maldives
File:Grapsus albolineatus Landaagiraavaru.JPG, On the Baa Atoll
Baa Atoll (includes Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll or Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi, Fasdhūtherē Atoll, and Goifulhafehendhu Atoll) is an administrative division of the Maldives. It consists of three separate natural atolls, namely southern Maalhosmad ...
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q6495491
Crustaceans described in 1812
Grapsidae